Week 2 provided a stark reminder for fantasy football managers of just how hard it is to win a championship. The injury bug was out in full force, even before the games kicked off. Unfortunately, several fantasy stars have fallen victim to it early on this season. As a result, it is important to attack the fantasy football waiver wire aggressively. Even if your team has managed to stay relatively injury-free, targeting the players who are set to benefit from stars going down is still worthwhile to round out your depth and increase your tradeable assets.
Let’s dive into some of the best fantasy football waiver wire pickups heading into Week 3.
Note: Players must be owned in less than 50% of ESPN leagues to be included in the best fantasy football waiver wire pickups column. Ownership percentages will reflect their status on Tuesday mornings ahead of standard waiver processing.
QB Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (16.3%)
Even with Kenneth Walker III held out due to an oblique injury, seeing the Seahawks utilize a pass-heavy attack in Week 2 was still a surprise. After all, the strength of the New England Patriots’ defense is widely considered to be its secondary. That didn’t stop Geno Smith from throwing for 327 yards and completing 75% of his passes. He could be a solid streamer in Week 3 against Miami and will always be a viable depth piece thanks to having three great receivers to target.
Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (5.6%)
It has been a better-than-expected start for Sam Darnold as the starting quarterback for the Vikings. Many still had doubts after Week 1 given that the season-opener came against the lowly New York Giants. All Darnold did to quiet those doubters in Week 2 was lead the Vikings to victory over the San Francisco 49ers. The fact that both Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are banged up is concerning, but Darnold certainly showed his potential with a QB3 ranking this week.
MORE: NFL Power Rankings Week 3 – Your Favorite Team Sucks
After an action-packed Week 2, we update our NFL Power Rankings and try to decide which team(s), if any, are actually good. Click through to see where your team is ranked heading into Week 3!
RB Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Carson Steele (1.6%) and Samaje Perine (3.6%), Kansas City Chiefs
The first major RB injury of the season occurred in Week 2 as Isiah Pacheco went down with a broken fibula. In his absence, the Chiefs will lean on a classic duo of undrafted rookie, Carson Steele, and veteran journeyman, Samaje Perine. Both players are worth trying to grab off the fantasy football waiver wire heading into Week 3.
Fantasy managers are likely familiar with Perine and should expect the bulk of his production to still be on third downs and in pass-catching situations. Now, for those unfamiliar with Steele, let me be the first to tell you that this dude is awesome. He has an incredible mane of hair. He has a pet alligator. And he runs HARD, much like Pacheco. The former Ball State and UCLA back could be poised to take the NFL by storm over the next two months.
Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens (12.5%)
For the second straight week, Justice Hill occupies a spot in our fantasy football waiver wire pickups column. Although it was discouraging to see his targets drop from eight in the season-opener to just two this past week, Hill still was on the field plenty. He commanded a 54% share of the Ravens’ offensive snaps, which was once again more than Derrick Henry, who notably was far more productive. Hill’s ability to complement Henry’s skillset ensures that he will remain a steady presence in this offense moving forward.
WR Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Gabe Davis, Jacksonville Jaguars (45.2%)
Honestly, it’s a little surprising that Gabe Davis is owned in less than 50% of ESPN leagues and thus qualifies for our fantasy football waiver wire column. After all, he is the clear WR2 for the Jaguars this season. Yes, Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville passing attack are hardly a sure lock and quite unexciting. That said, Davis is locked into a solid role alongside Brian Thomas and the disappearing Christian Kirk. He also garnered seven targets with tight end Evan Engram out this past week. Managers could do much worse than Davis as a FLEX or depth piece going forward.
Demarcus Robinson (33.6%) and Tyler Johnson (12.9%), Los Angeles Rams
It’s only Week 3, but the Rams’ wide receiver corps is already in shambles. One week after Puka Nacua was placed on IR, it appears Cooper Kupp is set to join him. All of those vacated targets have to go somewhere, and based on early-season snap counts and usage, Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson figure to be the beneficiaries. The two have seen 11 and 10 targets through the first two games, respectively. So long as Kupp and Nacua are out, Robinson and Johnson are both worthy of being rostered.
TE Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (10.1%)
When it comes to our fantasy football waiver wire tight ends this week, age is just a number. First up and fresh off a week in which he finished as the TE2 is 29-year-old Hunter Henry. In a Patriots offense that is void of talent and reliability at the wide receiver position, Henry looks to be the preferred option for Jacoby Brissett at this juncture. He caught eight of 12 targets for 109 yards in Week 2. It’s worth noting that no other Pats pass-catcher saw more than five targets. So long as he remains healthy, Henry presents a solid option at fantasy’s thinnest position.
Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders (6.3%)
Ownership of 33-year-old Zach Ertz only rose by 4% this past week. As a result, he lands right back in our column again ahead of Week 3. Ertz has seen four targets and played 65% or more of the Commanders’ offensive snaps in each of the first two games. He has caught seven of those looks and led Washington in receiving yards in Week 2. As rookie QB Jayden Daniels continues to acclimate to the NFL, it only makes sense that Ertz will continue to be a safe, steady option for him in the passing game.
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